Christmas Party

We were lucky to be invited to a Christmas party hosted by one of my friends from high school the other week. The party was amazing with balloon animals, Santa, yummy food, a storyteller and FACE PAINTING! Rudolf and the Snow Princess were beyond thrilled! It was a great night.

Long Overdue!

As I am designing our Christmas cards I added "to following our everyday adventures on this blog..." then I realized that I might need to update the blog for that to be true. So here I go!




1. Day-care- We found out in October that our current day-care's contract was not being renewed and a new day-care would be starting January 1st. No big deal, we had seen a decrease in enrollment numbers at the day-care and I am sure the people who decided on the change had their reasons for it. October 30th we were notified that the current day-care would be closing the next Friday (11/7). One week notice. We were lucky and the new day-care moved up their start date to 11/16, leaving us with just a week without child-care. Nick and I each took a couple vacation days and Grandma Greving came down for a day as well. Wouldn't be a huge issue, except that we were leaving for vacation the following week and it was a lot of time out of the office (and using the Grandparents for care) all at once. But... it worked out and we are loving the new day-care! It is amazing that you don't realize how bad things had gotten until you experience something better. Neve loves the new center, the teachers seem really nice and it is so much cleaner! Just a lot of drama and stress to get there.




2. Halloween- we had Doc McStuffins and an ENT Doctor in the house! My dream is that these professions stick in the long term (well, maybe more the ENT doctor vs. the Disney cartoon character). The girls had a blast trick-or-treating with the neighborhood kids. 20 of us and counting (2 more were in their mommy's tummy's at that time).




3. Vacation!!!!!!! Nick and I took an amazing trip to Jamaica the week before Thanksgiving. We stayed at an all-inclusive in Ocho Rios and had a great time. I read four books, Nick read one. Days were spent on the beach, by the pool and in the ocean. We went snorkeling, kayaking, and took a ride on a glass bottom boat. We also slept in as late as we wanted (and all night) and didn't wear a watch the entire time  (which was sometimes a struggle for me). Nick ate all the seafood he could get his hands on, including what must have been decent lobster because we went to the same restaurant twice and he ordered the same thing (typical for me, but not for Nick). We hit up a speakeasy bar and enjoyed some amazing live music. Had a couples massage on the pier with the waves of the ocean crashing against the rocks (very relaxing) and just plain enjoyed spending time with just the two of us (adult conversations!). An added bonus was that I am 99% sure they filmed the finale for the upcoming season of the Bachelor at our resort! 


4. The girls must have had a decent time with the Grandparents while we were away because they didn't seem to miss us much. They ended up with an extra morning with Grandma Greving since the snow storm kept her in Des Moines overnight. They enjoyed that.




5. Holiday time- I cannot believe Thanksgiving has come and gone. The house is decorated for Christmas and all the gifts have been purchased. The girls are excited and Neve thinks every day is Christmas- but doesn't understand why she cannot open the presents under the tree. Buddy the Elf is back and the girls are loving it. He has only not moved once thus far (which is pretty decent considering this Mommy tends to forget about him a lot).


6. Ellie lost her first tooth! We were downstairs watching the Nebraska/Iowa football game. I heard Nick tell her to get a Kleenex (I thought she had a runny nose). Next thing I hear is him telling her she is bleeding. She walked over with a nice little hole in her mouth and a very big smile on her face. She is officially growing up.


7. We went to Disney on Ice the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. We were in the box that work has with a co-worker of mine who has a little girl in school with Ellie. I called Ellie "Ellie" and the little girl asked who that was... I guess she goes by Eleanor at school so people do not know who "Ellie" is. As we were talking later, she would now like us to call her Eleanor and not Ellie. Neve quickly joined the trend and would now like to go by Genevieve. I am not complaining, I love their full names! It is just hard to remember. Oh, the girls LOVED Disney on Ice. We have a trip to Disney World planned for next year and Neve is a little confused as to the difference between Disney on Ice and Disney World.


8. Once again I am not sure where the year has gone. We have had a lot of adventures and tons of memories--- but it seemed to fly by. Ellie is almost half way done with kindergarten. And Neve is that much closer to starting kindergarten. Time can start to slow down any day now. Until it does I will remind myself to enjoy every second!

5 on Friday

1. Saturday we got together with my sorority sisters from college and their families. 16 of us in total! It was fun to see everyone (even though we all live within 30 minutes of each other it is rare) and even more fun seeing the kids interact with each other.

2. Bumped Up Brussels  One of our favorite fall/winter meals. We made it on Sunday and it was amazing (even though the weather on Sunday was more summer than fall).

3. Ellie had a play-date on Sunday. She was so excited to have a friend from school over and I think the girls had a great time.

4. Nick left for a work trip in Orlando on Monday morning, so it was 'Girls Week!' While we survived and our world didn't fall apart too much, we missed Daddy. Although we did make it to school, day-care and work on time every since day this week.

5. Having Daddy gone over the weekend is a lot easier than having him gone during the week. At least on the weekend we can do fun things like go to the zoo or visit Grandma & Grandpa in Ames. During the week we are so busy and have little extra time it is not nearly as fun.

5 on Friday

1. Nick and I took off Friday afternoon to volunteer for the Miles for Maple Grove Fun Run at Ellie's school. The kids take donations from family and friends and then everyone at the school runs a mile in the afternoon (the kids get t-shirts too!). I would call it a successful event, as the school raised $23,000 that goes directly back to the school. Nick and I helped out with Ellie's class and ran the mile with them. Nick stayed with the front of the group and I tagged behind to make sure we didn't lose anyone in the process. Ellie is great (according to Nick) but running may not be her favorite thing. She was excited to leave school with 'parent pick-up' instead of going to her after school program.

2. I played my sister in Fantasy Football this week. I am still waiting for her telephone call to congratulate me on my win.

3. We celebrated my birthday with dinner with Nick's mom and husband on Sunday evening. The girls got a little extra time with Grandpa and Grandma and we always love Cheesecake Factory!

4. We had family pictures taken last night. I cannot wait to see the previews!

5. I am the homeroom parent for Ellie's class. Which means I get to coordinate the class parties (me organizing a party, I think I got this!). I met with three other mom's last night and we planned the Fall Party that happens at the end of the month. It was so much fun to plan the party, and what an amazing group of moms!

5 on Friday

1. We celebrated my cousin getting married this weekend up in Rochester, MN. I love that I don't worry about traveling with the girls anymore and they handle longer car rides like champs. We all had fun at the wedding and were very tired the next day. The girls loved dancing, and it was Ellie who asked to leave the dance to go to bed!

2. We celebrated my birthday on Tuesday. Nothing like spending the evening at the dance studio! Nick and the girls surprised me with flowers, a new bag (to take books to the beach/pool in come November) and an ice cream cake. We went all out for dinner with frozen pizza! It was perfect.

3. It is starting to get cooler out! Which means candles! I love scented candles. Nick is sensitive to spices in candles, so we are slightly limited- but we make the best of it.

4. I am co-chairing the United Way committee for work this year. It is fun, stressful and a lot of work. We had my department's kick-off meeting on Monday. A couple co-workers and myself presented. I think it went pretty well and based on the numbers we made an impact. Now let's just hope that the rest of the campaign comes together and we are successful in meeting (or exceeding) our goal.

5. Ellie went in for her follow-up appointment with the ENT on Thursday. The ear is healing well and everything looks good there, but she failed her hearing test so the doctor things she has fluid behind the eardrum. Antibiotics it is. Let's hope that fixed the problem.

5 on Friday

1. While Daddy was away, the girls will shop! For 5 hours to be exact. We hit up Valley West Mall, Target and Jordan Creek Town Center. We made progress. The girls were awesome. We all had fun, with sore feet after we were done.

2. This week is dress-up week for Ellie's school. Monday was dress-up as your favorite book character. We took the easy way out and did Fancy Nancy (because who wouldn't want to dress in heels for school!). She had a blast.

3. Ellie had surgery to remove her ear tube on Wednesday. They were not able to get the IV in her to get her pain medicine, so she woke up with more pain than normal. She is back to normal now- although she cannot get water in her ear for another week or so (which means no water park this weekend).

4. Neve misses her sister. She just wants to play with her. Although playing together usually results in someone screaming, yelling or crying. The love of sisters!

5. I am playing fantasy football this year. And I love it. I know very little about football, but I am quickly learning. The first week I learned NOT to play a kicker that isn't actually on a team anymore. The second week I learned that just because you play someone that SHOULD score points doesn't mean they will.  This week I am hoping for my first win. We will see. I would be happy if all of my players scored me points.

5 on Friday

1. We celebrated a family friend's 2nd birthday at Union Park and Heritage Carousel on Saturday morning. The weather was beautiful and the girls loved being able to ride the carousel as much as they wanted (and the cotton candy machine).

2. Go Hawks! We cheered the Hawks on during their game against the Cyclones on Saturday.

3. Ellie had a play-date at a friend from school's house on Sunday. It was the first play-date where I  dropped her off and left. Such a weird feeling. She had a blast and would now like the friend to come to her house.

4. On Wednesday one of my college roommates came over for dinner with her family. They live in Arizona, so it had been about a year and a half since Nick and I had seen them, and we had never meet their little girl. I love it when you get together with people and everything seems so nature and like you see them all the time. Their little girl was adorable and came over to meet the minute she walked in the door! I had a cold, so I tried to stay away as much as possible- but by the end of the night I gave up (with her parents permission of course) and had so much fun getting laughs out of the little 1-year old. When they had gone for the night Nick turned to me and said, "I wished they lived closer."

5. Nick is off on his annual fall bike trip. The girls and I are going to lay low for a few days and maybe get out on Saturday. I think Ellie needs a little home time with all the changes going on and how busy we have been lately.

5 on Friday

1. Neve went to be a little early on Friday night (that is what happens when you stop taking naps), but Ellie stayed up and talked to Nick and I about school, Beyond the Bell and anything else on her mind for 45 minutes straight.  It was so sweet and fun. I think she was trying to make up for the time she lost during the daily commute.


2. Saturday was Ellie's Dance Camp in the morning, then we had friends over for lunch and to play. Nick was off riding the Pedalers Jamboree ride all day.


3. Sunday night Liam and Alida spent the night. I think all the kids had a blast and Alida wins the price for best sleeper (in bed shortly after 7:30 and slept until 7:40). The other kiddos--- maybe not the best night's sleep for those three.


4. We got an e-mail from Ellie's teacher that she was having a sad day on Tuesday. She missed her Daddy and wanted to go home. When we talked to her about it at home she told us she needed another stay-at-home day that day. The next day we found out she had an ear infection... hoping that was the underlying cause of the sad day and it doesn't happen too often (that and the lack of sleep Sunday night).


5. Ear infection in the ear with the ear tube + ear tube being in for 2+ years = Ellie going in for surgery to remove the tube in a couple weeks.

5 on Friday

1. Nick had his Fantasy Football Draft at our house on Sunday.  The draft takes a long time--- it started at 10am and didn't get over until a little before 5.


2. With the draft going on at home, the girls needed to get away--- to Ames we went!  The girls loved spending time with Grandma and Grandpa and even got to see the new trains at Reimen Gardens.  They are pretty neat.


3. Tuesday night was Curriculum Night at Ellie's school. The parents go and learn about what the kids will be taught during the year, how the classroom works, and other fun information we all wonder about. With it being dance night, Nick took dance duty and I went to Ellie's classroom. At school it was confirmed that Ellie has a best friend (Ellie had told me, the other girls' mom mentioned it to me as well).  :) It is nice to know she is making friends.


4. Ellie survived her first full week of kindergarten!  She loves it and loves to tell us about her day and everything she has learned thus far. She is tired, but that is to be expected.


5. Neve must not have heard that Ellie is jealous she gets to take naps because she hasn't been taking advantage of that at school. It just goes to show that each kid is his or her own person--- Ellie still loves (and sort of needs) naps at age 5 1/2, while Neve is ready to give them up at 3.

5 on Friday

1. I don't remember what we did last weekend.  All I remember is that we were getting prepared for the first day of school!  Oh wait, Ellie had her first professional manicure and pedicure in preparation for the first day of school.   She was grinning the entire time and felt like a little princess.


2. Guess what Monday was... the First Day of Kindergarten (Ellie) AND the First Day of Big Wheels (Neve)!   Both girls were very excited for their special day.   Ellie picked dinner on Sunday night, Neve picked breakfast Monday morning and Ellie picked dinner Monday night.


3. Neither Ellie nor I cried at kindergarten drop-off!   I think all of the excitement and preparation had us ready for the first day.   About an hour before we were going to leave for school she asked me, "Can we just go now!?"   She was ready. 


4. Ellie loves kindergarten!  She loves her teacher.  The neighbor three doors down is in her class.  A girl from her dance class last year is in her class.   One of her friends from day-care is in her class.   She came home and told me that she had two new best friends (the boys that sit on either side of her).


5.  Both girls started dance class on Tuesday!   This is Neve's first year and she could not be more excited.   Ellie is excited as well, but turning into a pro since this is her 3rd year (I cannot believe she has already been in dance for 3 years and still loves it).   They look so cute in their pink dance leotards!   It does make a busy night for Mom and Dad since Neve's class goes from 5:15-5:45 (a rush from school to dance class) and Ellie goes from 5:45-6:45, but we will survive (and it gets it all done in one day).

Almost ready for Kindergarten!

Today is the last day of day-care for Ellie!


I cannot believe how fast the time has gone.  It seems like yesterday that we were bringing our 8-week old daughter to the center for the first time.   I may have checked on her multiple times that day back in January of 2010, but I didn't cry at drop-off time.    I am able to say that when I dropped her off for the last time this morning I didn't cry either (although it was close when I asked her teachers for a picture of Ellie with them--- Ellie planned it and they all wore the same outfit!).   Let's hope Monday's drop-off goes as smoothly!


Last night we went to Back to School night at Maple Grove.   I am completely in love with the school.  The building and classrooms are cute, the principal seems really awesome and our teacher (because let's be honest, she will probably teach Nick and I a thing or two as she teaches Ellie) is amazing.  We are ready.  Or as ready as we are going to be.


So here is how Back to School night went.... We walked into the building, greeted by Waukee Cheerleaders passing out information on their cheer clinic.   Then we hit the PTO table.   Then the WATCH DOGS group.  Then the Waukee Dance team (although they looked very similar to the cheerleaders and I told them we already had a flier, only to be told that was the cheerleaders and they were the dance time with another clinic flier).  Then the nutrition representative with information on lunches.  By this time I had a handful of fliers and hadn't yet figured out where the classroom was!   A few more groups (I don't even remember which ones) and we finally made it to the classroom (after asking for directions a few times).   Ellie's teacher is ADORABLE!  The classroom is ADORABLE!   I am so excited (I hope Ellie is as well).   We did a little scavenger hunt that helped Ellie find her spot, put her school supplies away, pick-up an item off the 'classroom wish list' and filled out a couple forms.  Oh, and we received some more papers to go through (I sort of feel like we took home a small tree after it was all said and done).  Anyway, it was really organized, a little overwhelming, a lot of fun, and we are now ready for Monday.  (We even ordered our item from the classroom wish list and it should arrive on Saturday so Ellie can take it to school with her on Monday.)


This morning I was going through the papers from the night before and one of the papers was titled "In a Million Words of Less" and was a request from the teacher to write her a letter (in a million words or less) telling her about your child- what I would tell her if "we were to sit down for 20 minutes over coffee".   Yup, totally brought tears to my eyes and I realized that Monday might not be as easy as I thought it was going to be.   I realize this might be something all kindergarten teachers do, but it is a really great idea and made me feel like Ellie was someone very special in this teacher's eyes.  I tried to keep it simple, even though there is so much more to Ellie than just what is listed in this letter.  But some of it you just have to experience yourself (which her teacher will very soon).   Here is what I wrote (with review and approval from Nick):

Ellie is:

• The oldest child and a big sister to Genevieve (Neve), age 3.
• A ‘leader’ at times and shy/reserved at other times.  It takes a little bit for her to get comfortable in new situations.
• Sensitive, caring, sweet (and sometimes emotional).
• A big fan of dramatic play (her words, not ours).
• A lover of babies and playing house.
• Afraid of loud noises (sometimes).
• Left-handed!
• One to play outside with her neighbors any chance she gets.
• Limited on the amount of screen time she gets (the TV may be on 30 minutes to 1 hour a week when she is awake).
• Pretty strong in her math skills (in our opinion). 
• Not as confident in her reading skills (she tends to give up when she could sound the words out if she tried a little harder).
• Slightly uncoordinated.
• Excited to do art projects.
• A slow eater, but eats a variety of foods.
• Someone you can read by the expression on her face.
• Someone who likes to please people and be recognized for it.
• A child that is perfectly happy playing by herself.
• Not someone that has trouble interacting with adults (sometimes she prefers it to other children).
• A Daddy’s girl that loves to ride home from day-care (and now BTB) on the bike with Daddy on Friday’s.
• A Mommy’s girl that likes to follow rules (and let others know when they are not following the rules).
• A fan of structure.
• Sometimes needs to be reminded about personal space.
• Very excited for kindergarten, but also afraid of leaving her day-care where she has been at for the last 5+ years. 

5 on Friday

1. The entire family biked home from work on Friday.  The girls were excited, Nick may have gotten bored having to slow down for me, and I got my workout in.


2. Nick and the girls joined the neighbor dad's and their kids for a camping night Saturday night.  The mom's made the most of it with some shopping, dinner out and a quick stop to the campground to say hello before bed.


3. My friend and I took our girls shopping for dance gear Monday night.  Too cute and I cannot wait for classes to start next week (but it seems like we just finished with the recital!).


4. Ellie found out her teacher on Monday!  And her one of the neighbor kids is in her class.   Should be a fun year!


5. We had Back to School Night Thursday night for Ellie.  She took in her supplies, found her classroom and meet her teacher.   Then we rushed back home to get ready for my Fantasy Football Draft!   Fantasy Football is not just for boys in our house!  Makes me more excited for football season to start!

5 on Friday

1. On Friday night the girls had a sleepover at Aunt Megan and Uncle Mike's house.   Ellie loves it there because Aunt Megan gives her candy and thirds on juice.


2. While the girls were gone, Nick and I celebrated my college roommate's "6th Anniversary of her 29th Birthday" Friday night.  We had a good time and really enjoyed being able to sleep in as late as we wanted on Saturday morning.


3. Nick went to Coon Rapids for the grand opening of a new mountain bike trail on Saturday.  The girls and I braved the mall during the tax-free holiday so they could get some new tennis shoes.


4. On Tuesday night I went to an Introduction to Tea class at Gong Fu in the East Village.  Megan and I grabbed dinner before hand and had a great time.   I learned I like white tea the best and am not a huge fan of green tea.


5. I cannot believe we have less than 2 weeks before Ellie starts school.  I know she is ready for kindergarten, it is just going to be really weird walking into work without her--- 5.75 years of doing the same thing is going to be a big change.

5 on Friday

1. We celebrated my cousin's wedding on Saturday!   The girls loved seeing Sarah in her beautiful dress (her mother's wedding dress with a few alterations and the addition of part of her Godmother's wedding dress!)  We had to head back home before the dance started, which made a few little girls upset with Mommy and Daddy, but they still had a great time.



2. We had an amazing meal on Sunday--- smoked brisket, smoked baked beans and apple pie!   Yum!



3. Monday the girls and I had "cousin day".   Megan, Liam and Alida came over to play in the morning and then after nap (or Alida's nap I should say) we all went to the pool together.  The kids had a blast and I love that we live close enough we can do things like that.



4. Thursday was Adventureland day!   Once I found out the log ride was going to be closing I knew we had to go on it one last time.  Not to mention that Neve was free this year (that will not be the case next year.)   We had a great time and four very tired people by the end of the day.  We loved that Megan and the kids were able to join us out there for a short period of time.



5. I have been keeping very busy at work co-chairing our company's United Way campaign on top of my regular work duties.   We have changed up the campaign this year and I cannot wait to write a longer post about all the fun happenings.

5 on Friday

1. We celebrated Liam's birthday at his construction party!   We had a blast and I loved how my niece would let me take care of her--- until I took her cake away and then she yelled at me in a 1-year old way (in my defense, her mother told me I could take it away AND she was in the process of getting cleaned off).

2. We had a zoo day with the Jones' Family!   Megan and the kids had gone with the girls and I earlier in the summer, but we decided we needed to include the Daddy's this time around.   It rained, so the train was not running, but we still had a great time.

3. Indianola Balloon Classic!  I had never been, and the other day on our way to school Ellie asked what was in the sky in front of us--- it was a hot air balloon.   Since Ellie is still free admission for this one last year we thought it would be a fun thing to do.   Unfortunately, Neve decided she did not want to take a nap that day and given it was the Glow Nite so we would be up late  Neve and Daddy stayed home.   But Ellie, Megan, Liam and I had an amazing time!   I would totally go again next year (this time with Neve and Daddy as well.)

4. We had our kindergarten round-up at Maple Grove on Thursday!   Can you believe Ellie will start kindergarten in less than a month!  Yikes!

5. While we were at kindergarten round-up, Neve had a play-date with her friend, Bentley.  She had a blast and I am so grateful our friends were able to watch her when I asked.   The next day Neve asked when she could play with Bentley again.

5 on Friday

1. Happy Birthday to our Godson!   We hope you had an amazing day and cannot wait to celebrate with you this weekend.

2. I took Neve to the eye doctor this week.   He was recommended to us by our neighbor who was friends with him through another mutual friend.   We are sitting in the room and the doctor comes in.  He introduces himself, looks at me and continues to look at me.  Then he asks if I went to Business Horizons back in high school.   Business Horizons was a 1 week business related 'camp' that yes, I did attend many, many years ago.  Turns out we were both there!   I will admit- it took me a while to remember who he was, but after talking some more I did.  Small world!

3. Neve has my eyes... or at least it is looking that way.  We will head back to the eye doctor in a year to tell for sure, but the idea of glasses did come up in conversation.

4. Ellie had her last t-ball game this week!   It was supposed to end a few weeks ago, but rain delays made it go a little later into the summer.   She loved it.

5. We did our back to school shopping!   Ellie found a dress to wear for the first day of school and purchased all of her supplies, as well as supplies for our adopted kindergartner, Ruby.  More on Ruby in a later post.

5 on ????

No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth.  Just busy with this thing called summer.   And we are having an amazing summer. How about a mini-update by week-


Week of June 26th:
- Play-date at the zoo with a friend from school.
- Great-Grandma, Grandma and Grandpa come over for dinner!   Ellie absolutely adores Great-Grandma and will not leave her side.   I think the feeling was mutual.
- Nick and I went to DMB with the Beltman, Steffens and Jones'.  Always a great time!




Week of July 4th:
- We spent the day with the neighbors (surprise, surprise).    We actually went to the fireworks show instead of watching from home.  The girls thought it was awesome.
- We celebrated Nick's cousin and his wife at their wedding reception on the farm.  The girls love the baby kittens and Ellie was a huge fan of Nick's cousin's puppy (a big deal for a non-dog girl).
- We are working on our kindergarten check list: complete with Ellie's first eye exam.   We are hoping she had Nick's eye genes and can go without glasses.  So far, so good!


Week of July 11th:
- Rain delayed the Ankeny Summerfest parade on Saturday, so instead of going to that we just played at Mike and Megan's.  The kids had a blast and sometimes the small group time in a non-structured are just what we need.
- VACATION!   We went to the WI Dells with Nick's mom, her husband and our 13-year old cousin.   We stayed at the resort we have stayed at in the past (thanks for the discount Mom!) and it worked out perfectly.  The girls had an absolute blast and it is fun to make memories not only for vacation, but with the grandparents and cousins as well.  I think everyone was exhausted afterwards, but wouldn't trade it for the world. 

5 on Friday

1. It is summer time!  Which means Nick and the girls (or one of the girls depending on the mood of a certain 3-year old) ride home on the bike while I (and sometimes a 3-year old) get our grocery shopping done for the week.  Love that we start our weekend with one of our 'tasks' already complete.


2. Nick went on the Bacoon Ride on Saturday. The girls and I hit up the gym for a nice long workout (me) and gymnastics class (the girls).   I went to pick them up and there were six kids from their day-care playing together at the Kids Academy- so cute!  


3. Nick picked his Father's Day activities.    He smoked up a beef brisket (which turned out pretty awesome) and baked beans (also very yummy), played with the girls, went to the mall (yup, on Father's Day we went to the mall), played with the neighbors and enjoyed a nice family dinner.  Happy Father's Day to an amazing Daddy!


4. The neighbors got out their big (seriously, very big) water slide this weekend.  The girls had a blast both days--- and Ellie is a little too adventurous for my taste.


5. Ellie tried out tennis on Tuesday night.  The gym is offering a tennis class as part of their season classes this summer.   So after dinner Tuesday night Ellie and I headed to the gym so she could try the class and I could get a workout in without having to get up at 4:30AM.   Worked out perfectly!   Ellie places tennis above soccer, but below t-ball and dance.  I love that she gets to try out so many different types of classes so we can figure out what she likes (arts & crafts) and doesn't like (soccer).

5 on Friday

1. We started the weekend off with our annual trip to the zoo with friends.  Unfortunately one of the families couldn't make it, but we still had a fun time.




2. We decided to have mini-dates with the girls Sunday night.  Nick and Ellie choose to go out to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack, while Neve and I hit up Pizza Ranch (we are not fans of seafood).   I think both girls had a great time, and it is nice to have one-on-one time with the girls.




3. Tuesday we made our first bike trip to the ice cream shop of the year.   So much fun!


4. Ellie decided to use her princess point to 'buy' lunch out with me on Wednesday.  She picked Chick Fil A.   Neve decided she wanted lunch out as well.  On Thursday she picked Jimmy Johns, as we were leaving she saw the elevator and changed her mind- she wanted to eat at the cafeteria.


5. Ellie had her first t-ball game of the year last night!   The team did awesome and we were really proud of her!

5 on Friday

1. We love the swimming pool!   We went Sunday as a family after nap.   Then again Tuesday after work. 


2. On Wednesday the girls started swimming lessons.   They each received a free month of lessons when they joined the club.   Who am I to pass up free swimming lessons!  They both did great and I was really impressed with the instructors.


3. I took a quick trip to Montana/North Dakota on Thursday and Friday.   I don't think I have ever seen oil rigs in person before... but I saw a lot of them!


4. Ellie's first tee-ball game was rained out.


5.  Ellie, Neve and Daddy had a picnic in work's multipurpose room on Friday.  (It was too wet to be outside.) It sounds like they had a great time!

5 on Friday

1. The girls and I are driving home in the car and out of no where Ellie tells me that if I want to make some money I should go to "Diko dot com."  (We have been stressing to her that when we go and buy things we have to pay money, and in order to have money we have to work hard for it and it is not just given to us.)   I ask a few more questions to figure out what she is talking about.  Questions such as "Where should I go?"  and "Where did you hear this?"   She heard it on the radio.   A few minutes later a commercial comes on the radio.  One about finding money under a rock and how you can save money by going to... Geiko.com.   Ellie pipes up, "See mom, this is what I was telling you about!"   Oh my.   The kid hears things even when we don't.


2. Ellie started her second year of t-ball last night.   She was pretty excited and seems to like it.   One of our neighbors is the coach this year and she knows a lot of the other kids on the team.  That helps- I just hope they pay attention during the game instead of play with each other.


3.  "Our" park is complete!    The kids are super excited and Neve loves swinging.   I wish they had added more to the park, or at least left the original equipment and added to it.   The park is now geared towards kids ages 5+, which makes it a little nerve-racking for Mommy when Neve climbs across the rock bridge to get to the tall slide.


4. Wednesday night is girls night in our house.   I gave the girls the option to: play at the park with the neighbors, go to a class at LT or go swimming at LT.  Can you guess what they opted to do???  Swimming it is!   I am going to have little fishies by the end of the summer (which is perfectly find for this big fish.)   I remember riding my bike to the pool all the time during the summer as a child.  I feel bad that my girls won't have a similar experience with two working parents, but this works for us.


5.  Ellie is participating in Waukee's Safety City program offered for kids entering kindergarten.   She is in the session with a couple of the neighbor kids and loving it.  Lucky for us our neighbor offered to watch her for an hour + before the program and transport her two and from the program each day.  Thank goodness for wonderful neighbors!

A little behind: 5 on Friday (sort of)

Where does the time go?   Or should I say- where did May go?   I am not sure, but we kept very busy during the month.   Here is an update on our happenings:


1. Ellie did great during her dance recital.   She was a Lollipop Kid from the Wizard of Oz.   Each class danced, and then they did a medley with all of the various characters from the movie.  It was very cute and she loved celebrating with frozen yogurt after the recital!  I cannot wait for the video to arrive in the mail, since I was behind the scenes and didn't get to watch the entire dance.


2. I was the "Dance Mom" for Ellie's class.   Thirteen little girls in the basement of Stephens Auditorium... I didn't lose a single one and kept them pretty busy while we waited to go on!  I did have help getting the girls up to the stage, off the stage, in a new order for dancing and back on stage for the medley.  Not sure I could have done that myself!  


3. Our oldest nephew graduated from high school a couple weeks ago!  I cannot believe it... he cannot be that old!  Nick and Ellie went to the graduation, Neve and I joined them later for the party.  Our nephew is bright young man, we are very proud of him, and wish him the best in the next stage of his life.


4. I cleaned the windows on the outside of the house for the first time!  Sad, I know.   But they cleaned them before we moved back in after the fire and I never got around to cleaning them last summer.   They were looking pretty dirty.  Six hours of hard work later they were sparkling clean inside and out.  Let me tell you--- as pretty as the super tall windows look, they are not fun to clean.  Hoping I can wait to do it again until next spring/summer.  Although the clean windows are really nice to look through.


5. Two + years later, we are almost done with our bags set (corn hole set).  I had made the actual bags a while ago, but we hadn't finished the wood portion (dang the legs that are not that fun to cut).   I only have one more coat of polyurethane to put on, then Nick has to add the handles and lights under the holes and we are good to go!   I have to say- they are pretty fancy and I love how they turned out.   The upgrade is a longer board set than our original ones (regulation size).  And the lights under the holes.  The slight downgrade is we opted to do a decal instead of hand painting the Tiger Hawk head.   They still look pretty nice- although I do miss the original ones we lost in the fire.   Nick and the neighbors tried them out yesterday and they seem to work great.  Just need to break the bags in a little.


6. Our spare bedroom is officially cleaned out!  It had sort of become a catch all room for the past three years.   My brother and sister-in-law came to stay with us this past weekend, so it forced me to do a little organizing and cleaning.   I made two trips to Goodwill and had a bag or two of trash.   The closest still needs a little organizing- but it is a great start and I love looking peaking in at it when I am downstairs.


7. Nick, my brother, my sister-in-law, and my sister all ran the Dam to Dam race on Saturday.   Megan and Nick trained together each week, while Eric and Jess kept active in Iowa City.  I am very proud of all of them--- not something I think I will ever do.  


8.  We had everyone over for a pre-race dinner on Friday night, although the timing worked out that the Ankeny crew had to leave before the IC crew arrived due to work delays and kid bedtimes.  We ate in shifts and it worked out just fine.   We had a great time and loved seeing everyone over the course of the night.


9. Ellie loved having her IC cousins spend the night.   We would not let her sleep downstairs with all the girls (because she wouldn't sleep), but did let the second oldest cousin sleep in her room... the cousin may have wished she was downstairs when Ellie turned on the light at 3AM because she was awake and wanted to play!   They were up and ready to go at 6AM (most likely because Ellie was awake).


10. All six girls and I ventured down to cheer the runners on at the race (signs and all).  My parents, brother-in-law, nephew and niece joined us there.  Pretty fun having all 12 of us there to cheer everyone on (even if it was a little cold).


11.  Ellie graduated from preschool on Friday!  It is hard to believe that she will be moving on from the place that she has gone to since she was 7 weeks old!    I did get a picture of her with her best friend, another little girl that started a week after her and has been there the entire time.  Super cute!


12.  On Wednesday I joined Neve and her class on a field trip to the zoo.   Neve loves the zoo and was very excited to see the lions (since she is known as the Baby Lion).  


13. We have been making the most of my Christmas gift--- memberships for Nick and the girls to LifeTime for the summer.  Seriously--- Nick did a great job with that gift!   The girls LOVE doing the classes (they did yoga last Monday and we have already highlighted other classes like tennis, cheer, and karate that they want to try) and we have been to the pool (indoor and outdoor) multiple times since they joined over Memorial Day weekend.    I had the day off on Wednesday (for the field trip), so I picked the girls up from day-care after nap (and after I had my errands completed) and we hit the pool.  It was a beautiful day and none of us wanted to leave when it was dinner time.  On Sunday Ellie was asking if she could go to a class at LT.  She enjoys going to a class and I get a workout in--- how can I say no to that?   So Nick biked to the gym and joined the girls and I for a swim after I worked out and the girls did an Arts & Crafts class.  It was perfect.   I can already tell it is going to be an amazing summer!

5 on Friday

1. Last Friday Nick and I decided to have lunch in early celebration of our 7th wedding anniversary.   We thought it would be fun to leave the kids at day-care (pre-paid babysitter), hit up Table 128 (local and awesome) and enjoy a free afternoon.   We had a great time and even got all of our flowers and gardening supplies purchased before Nick went home to mow the lawn and I picked up the girls from school.


2. Friday night we planted some flowers (with the help of the girls and the neighbor girl) and then went in for dinner.  The weather was so beautiful we had to take advantage and ventured out after dinner to plant the garden (once again with the help of three little ones).   So the flower and garden planting I thought we would do on Saturday was all done Friday night!  Perfect!


3. Saturday morning we worked in the garage (cleaning it out and putting up some organizers) while the girls played outside.   After nap we were back outside to play with the neighbors.  Given the beautiful weather we had dinner on the patio and invited the neighbors over for s'mores afterwards.   Turns out the neighbors behind us had the same idea.  By the end of the night we had countless kids riding toy tractors down the little hill in the backyard and running between yards playing.  Ellie even meet a new friend that will be going to kindergarten at the same school as her next year.  This new friend was THRILLED to find out there were two other little girls in the neighborhood, as they just moved in in the fall and the neighbors around them have all boys.  


4. Sunday we celebrated Mother's Day and our Anniversary.   It was pretty low-key (I did laundry and cleaned the house since I spent most of the prior day outside playing).  We did go swimming (which the girls loved) and had an amazing dinner.  Overall, a pretty perfect weekend.


5. Ellie had her dance dress rehearsal in Ames on Thursday afternoon.  We road with the next door neighbors and picked up Hickory Park for dinner after the rehearsal (win-win!).  This weekend is the recital.

Grocery Delivery Update

Way to go Hy-Vee!  They really nailed it on the home delivery of groceries.   We had our first order last week and it worked out nearly perfect.  The only issue was they did not have the diced chicken I ordered and didn't have any substitute options (according to my receipt--- but really, no other options?).   Overall I was very please and the delivery guy was super polite (I think he may have put the groceries away in the fridge if I would have asked).   I would highly recommend this option to people who make lists and stick to the lists when grocery shopping- if you don't have a list you could easily forget something and end up having to run to the store anyway.  


We normally hit up Fareway for our shopping.  It is a lot cheaper than Hy-Vee, not as overwhelming and I love the meat there.   We will continue to do most of our shopping there, but for those weeks when time is stretched thin (or the weather is too nice to be inside shopping at the grocery store), this is a great option.  We will see how often we use the Hy-Vee delivery this summer...  I can already identify a few weeks in May that it will be needed (seriously, our May is SO busy!).

5 on Friday

1. We kept very busy while Daddy was away on his biking trip.   The girls got their hairs cut, we did a little shopping, the girls hit up dance class at LifeTime (while Mommy got a workout in), we went swimming, visited the zoo and had a picnic on the lawn!


2. Daddy got home earlier than expected on Sunday!   Perfect timing for a little water play time with the neighbors.   Our next door neighbor got a huge water slide contraption for her birthday, so we put it to use and the kids loved it.


3. Ellie had her last day of dance practice for the year on Tuesday!   She is already signed-up for next years class.


4. We celebrated Mother's Day early with a dinner last night.  We were headed to the mall for some errands and decided a trip to Cheesecake Factory would be easier on Thursday than on Mother's Day weekend.


5. While we have had some rain this week, we have also had periods of nice weather.    We so love being outside!

5 on Friday

1. I woke up Saturday feeling AWESOME!    Such a change from the previous 5 days.    My sister-in-law messaged me and asked if we wanted visitors that afternoon--- she was in the mood for some shopping and the girls were wanting some cousin time.   Worked out great for us and the three youngest girls came over to play for the afternoon.   It was so much fun watching all five girls play with each other.  They got along great, are so respectful and so well behaved.   We cannot wait for them to come again at the end of May!


2. Sunday we picked out a couple new trees we are having installed near the patio.  It will be nice to have a little more shade/blocking of the breeze.   And such a beautiful day to be outside!   We ended the day with some neighbor time (much missed while I was sick last week).  


3. The weather is awesome!   Neve misses the swings at the park, but they poured the basketball court and sidewalk this week and the equipment is expected to be in early next week.   It will be nice to have it back, but we have been making do in the meantime.


4. Nick is on his spring bike trip.  He left Thursday morning and gets back Sunday night.  The girls and I have our days planned and are looking forward to the beautiful weather this weekend.


5. The girls are so excited for May Day and May Day 'baskets'.   We have been collecting materials for a few months now and they loved putting them together Thursday night.

Grocery Delivery

Did you know that Hy-Vee will do your grocery shopping in the store and even deliver it to your house?   I didn't... until this past week.   So today over lunch I ordered my groceries on-line and they are set to be delivered to my house tomorrow between 5-6PM.   We will see if this is too good to be true or if Hy-Vee just became my go-to grocery shopping place (via on-line shopping) and nailed it for those people like me that are limited on time, know what they want at the grocery store and have a slight obsession with on-line shopping.   We will see...

5 on Friday

1. Friday night we had a neighbor night out with just the grown-ups.   We started off with dinner at RoCA (highly recommend) and finished the night at Mickey's on Court Avenue (it was too beautiful not to be outside).   It was a great night and something we had been talking about for a few years now.   It is so rare that we all get babysitters and go out--- usually it is just gathering in the neighborhood.


2. We had a fun weekend- wrapping up Ellie's Faith Formation year with a program after church, me going out to lunch with a friend (with a little shopping to follow) and a last minute dinner with other friends!




3.. Nick is training for the Dam to Dam (go Nick!), so Monday night he went running with my sister (also training).   I thought I was coming down with a cold (slightly sore throat and my nose was getting stuffy), so the girls and I laid low and watched a little Doc McStuffins on Hulu (thanks Hulu!).   By the time Nick got home (after the kiddos were in bed), I was running a pretty high fever and may had thought I was going to freeze to death.




4. The next day I was sick- 104 temp. and it took me 4-5 hours to motivate myself to move from the bed to the couch in the living room.   The next day was more of the same.   Me laying around, Nick taking care of everything and the girls watching Doc McStuffins when Nick was gone.  Thursday my fever went away and I started to feel a little better.  I still couldn't eat anything (no appetite and my throat was sore/swollen.  But I was doing a little better (I didn't look like death, as Nick put it).




5. Friday I attempted to go to work.  For 2 hours anyway.  Then I went home to try and sleep (something I hadn't done much of--- or quality sleep anyway).  But 4:30 I gave in and went to Urgent Care.    By 6:30 I had been tested for the flu, mono and strep.   All came back negative, but the Dr. said I looked miserable and sent me home with medication to try and fix what it would.   2 hours after taking the meds I was sending Nick on a run to Dairy Queen for a chicken wrap and blizzard--- I was feeling better!    The girls are sad that they don't get to watch episode after episode of Doc McStuffins, but very happy to have a mobile mommy again.




That was the week through my eyes.  Not the most fun, but at least it was cloudy/rainy outside!

5 on Friday

1. Ellie was kept busy last weekend with two different birthday parties.   We were at Rainbow on Friday night, and then Ellie and Daddy went ice skating on Sunday.  So much fun!


2. Ellie had dance pictures on Saturday.    I cannot wait to see how they turned out!


3. While Ellie and Daddy were at the ice skating party on Sunday, Neve and I went swimming at LifeTime.  She did a great job and we celebrated with dinner of her choice.


4. This week is Week of the Young Child at day-care.  The theme this year is Pirates & Princesses.   We totally have the princess part covered!  


5. Our neighbors got a trampoline!   The girls love jumping on it with their friends and it is a hit with the park being unavailable.  

5 on Friday

1.  Happy Easter!   We started the weekend with an Easter Egg Hunt at Reiman Gardens with Grandma & Grandpa Greving and Megan, Liam & Alida.    The kiddos had a great time and were really cute together.   Then we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's to play for a while.   I got a super cute picture of Grandpa with the three youngest kids on his lap and Ellie behind them.  All five were having a blast!




2. We celebrated Easter Sunday with Nick's side of the family.   The girls loved the Easter egg hunt outside (such beautiful weather) and Neve decided that cousin Hunter was "not a scary guy."




3. I started Easter Sunday with a workout.   Note to self: no one works out at 5AM on Easter Sunday.  It was great!   When I arrived home Ellie was awake and I asked her what we were celebrating... her response: "Jesus is alive again!"   Pretty close for a 5-year old and I love that she knows the real meaning of Easter (although she was awake so early because she wanted to hunt the eggs).




4. Saturday/Sunday night Ellie woke up around 2:45AM and was calling for us.  I went into her room and she is sitting up on her bed wide awake.  She informed me that she was done sleeping and ready to wake up.   I told her I wasn't ready to wake up and she needed to go back to sleep if she wanted to do any Easter egg hunts that day.  Seriously child--- 2:45AM!!!!  I think she would have stayed awake if I would have let her.




5. They started working on the park across the street from us!  They are tearing a good portion of it out and redoing it bigger and better.  We cannot wait for it to be done.

5 on Friday

1. We celebrated Neve's birthday with a 'Sofia the First' party on Saturday.  She loved playing pin the amulet on Sofia and had a great time!  She also got the cupcake that she has been talking about ever since we brought up the idea of her birthday party.


2. Neve's ear tubes seem to be working wonders!  We go in next week for our 2 week follow-up visit.   She did complain that her ear was hurting a little mid-week, but we put in a few drops and it went away in a day.


3. I love the beautiful weather and all the people it brings outside.   It is fun meeting new neighbors at the park (because the neighborhood continues to grow and grow), and of course play with the old ones.


4. I gave up Facebook for Lent.   While I do miss keeping up with updates on friends and family, I love the extra time it has given me and the realization that we are so connected to technology today that we miss what is going on around us.   While I won't give it up for good (how else will I find out that one of our favorite babysitters is engaged), it will change how frequently I am on it and helps evaluate its value added.  It is a really good experience and I challenge you to try it for yourself!


5. The girls' day-care had an Easter Egg hunt Wednesday night.  I told the girls if they both took naps we could go (Nick bikes every Wednesday so it is our girls' night).   Ellie was super excited when I picked her up because she took a nap just so she could go to the hunt.   Unfortunately her younger sister did not.   I felt really bad for Ellie, but we made it up to her with a special treat once Neve was in bed.  That seemed to make things a little better--- that and the promise that we would go to the Easter Egg hunt at Reiman Gardens on Saturday morning.

5 on Friday

1.  Happy Birthday to Daddy!  Nick's birthday was last Friday so we celebrated with a cookie cake (which the girls were REALLY excited about when we picked it up from the store) and dinner at Cheesecake Factory (which meant the girls had a teeny tiny bite of the cookie cake after dinner out).  Saturday night we continued the celebration with Nick's side of the family at Cosi Cucina.   Love that place!    I think Nick had a great day!


2. I washed the inside of the upstairs windows on Saturday.   You know how people always ask: what is the one household chore you would pay someone to do?   Windows are mine.   I despise them (which is probably why they do not get done all that often).  Now the task of figuring out how to do the outside ones (we have yet to wash them since we slacked off last year and the year before that they had just been done after the fire.   Gross-- I know.


3. This week seems all about Neve.   Tuesday we had an appointment with the ENT.  Guess who failed her hearing test?!   We were not surprised since she has been saying "What?" and "Talk louder." and "I cannot hear you." to use lately.   So today we go in for surgery and have tubes put in for the second time.  They seemed to work the first time, so I am excited for the results.


4. Someone turned 3 this week!   She celebrated by choosing to stay home with Mommy & Daddy while Ellie went to day-care (which Ellie was not excited about, but did the same thing to Neve on her birthday).    Nick made birthday pancakes complete with whipped cream and mini M&Ms, followed by a trip to the mall to do a few errands, hit up the play-area (must of been her birthday!) and had lunch at Panera.  After nap, we finished up the day with her first trip to a movie theater!   We went to Flix Brewhouse in Urbandale to see Cinderella/Frozen Fever and had dinner during the movie.  More on Flix in a later post.


5. Neve had her 3-year Well Check on Thursday.  Other than the ears, the kid is doing awesome.

5 on Friday

1. I love a clean house.  There is something about having the windows and doors open AND having a clean house that makes me very, very happy.   Note: having a clean house with the windows and doors open in a neighborhood that is under construction is very difficult (and rare).


2. Our friends moved in across the street and down a house!   Yet another young family in the neighborhood to play with.  The first day they moved in the oldest daughter was at our house flying a kite with Ellie and playing sidewalk chalk.   Love it!


3. My sister and I took a Girl's Vacation down to KC for a few days this week.   Shopping, spa time, dinner w/o kids and lots of time to chat about anything and everything.  We had a blast!  We even had time to go to a movie at a movie theater! 


4. I love IKEA.  We hit up the new IKEA in KC on our trip.   2+ hours later we filled the car (or most of the car).   I wish we had one closer, but maybe it is a good idea we don't.


5.  Nick and the girls had a great time while I was away.   They played in the water table (awesome weather on Monday) and ate all the foods I am not a fan of (lobster, crab, mushrooms...).    The girls did miss me and were thrilled with the new clothes I brought home for them.

How Big is Ellie?

I was going through papers and files the other week and found all of the girls stat pages from their Well Checks.  I love it!   Here are Ellie's:

Ellie's 2-week Stats
Height: 20 1/2 inches (85th percentile)
Weight: 9 pounds 2.5 ounces  (95th percentile)




Ellie's 2-month Stats
Height: 23 3/4 inches (93rd percentile)
Weight: 13 pounds 6.5 ounces (99th percentile)




Ellie's 4-month Stats
Height: 26 1/4 inches (99th percentile)
Weight: 16 pounds 8 ounces (96th percentile)




Ellie's 6-month Stats
Height: 27 1/4 inches (94th percentile)
Weight: 18 pounds 4 ounces (89th percentile)




Ellie's 9-month Stats
Height: 28 3/4 inches (87th percentile)
Weight: 20 pounds 6 ounces (77th percentile)

Ellie's 12-month Stats
Height: 30 3/4 inches (93rd percentile)
Weight: 22 pounds 7 ounces (73rd percentile)




Ellie's 15-month Stats
Height: 32 1/2 inches (96th percentile)
Weight: 25 pounds 9 ounces (86th percentile)




Ellie's 18-month Stats
Height: 33 3/4 inches (96th percentile)
Weight: 27 pounds (64th percentile)




Ellie's 2-year Stats
Height: 35 inches (81st percentile)
Weight: 31 pounds  (91st percentile)


Ellie's 3-year Stats
Height: 38 3/4 inches (85th percentile)
Weight: 34.2 pounds  (79th percentile)


Ellie's 4-year Stats
Height: 42 inches (90th percentile)
Weight: 41.6 pounds  (88th percentile)


Ellie's 5-year Stats
Height: 45 1/2 inches (93rd percentile)
Weight: 48.8 pounds  (90th percentile)

How Big is Neve?

I was going through papers and files the other week and found all of the girls stat pages from their Well Checks.  I love it!   Here are Neve's:

Neve's 2-week Stats
Height: 22 inches
Weight: 9 pounds 10 ounces




Neve's 2-month Stats
Height: 23 3/4 inches (94th percentile)
Weight: 13 pounds 13 ounces (94th percentile)




Neve's 4-month Stats
Height: 26 3/4 inches (99th percentile)
Weight: 16 pounds 5 ounces (85th percentile)




Neve's 6-month Stats
Height: 27 3/4 inches (96th percentile)
Weight: 17 pounds 7.5 ounces (68th percentile)




Neve's 9-month Stats
Height: 29 1/2 inches (97th percentile)
Weight: 19 pounds 9 ounces (71st percentile)




Neve's 12-month Stats
Height: 31 inches (97th percentile)
Weight: 20 pounds 15 ounces (68th percentile)




Neve's 15-month Stats
Height: 32 3/4 inches (97th percentile)
Weight: 23 pounds 15 ounces (81st percentile)




Neve's 18-month Stats
Height: 34 1/2 inches (99th percentile)
Weight: 26.4 pounds (87th percentile)




Neve's 2-year Stats
Height: 36 1/2 inches (97th percentile)
Weight: 28.6 pounds  (82nd percentile)

Funny Things Kids Say...

I always get a kick out of hearing funny things that my friend's kids say.  We have officially entered into that stage with Ellie and it is AWESOME!   Each day we can expect something clever or hilarious to come out of her mouth.



I was talking to Nick about my co-workers going away party that was coming up in a few weeks. 


E:    Why is your co-worker going away?
M:   She is getting married next month and is moving to be with her husband.
E:    That is cool.   I want to get married next month.
M:   Who do you want to marry?
E:    You.
M:   What about Daddy?
E:     I can marry Daddy, too.   I want to marry all four of us (referring to the entire family).
M:   O.K. Ellie, we can marry the whole family next month.
E:    Good.

5 on Friday

1. Saturday and Sunday: play at the park whenever possible.


2. Monday: play outside after school.


3. Tuesday: Ellie goes to dance class, while Mommy takes a walk outside.


4. Wednesday: Picnic outside with the neighbors while Daddy bikes.


5. Get the picture?  Our life now revolves around the beautiful weather and we are making the most of it.   Looks like this weekend is more of the same and you can guess where we will be!

5 on Friday

1. Neve got sick to her stomach Friday night/Saturday morning.   All 6 sets of bedsheets were either dirty, in the wash or on the beds by the time 4:15am came around.  Poor girl!   She finally started feeling better Saturday night.

2. With Neve being sick over the weekend, I prayed no one else would catch it since I was out of town Monday-Wednesday for work.  Thankfully the rest of us stayed healthy!

3. I had board meetings in Arizona earlier this week.   It rained the first day and was cloudy and a little chilly (for AZ weather) on Tuesday.   Not what I had hoped for, but better than the cold and ice we had back in Iowa during that time.

4. The girls love helping me cook.  Neve quickly runs to get her apron and always wants to mix (even if what we are cooking does not involve mixing).

5. I am ready for the warm-up in weather today.  Bring on Spring!!!!!

5 on Friday

1. Neve and I had a date on Saturday morning to pick out birthday party supplies and have lunch together.  We even tested out a new cupcake place (or new to us), since the only thing Neve wants for her birthday are cupcakes.  Nick and Ellie had a date to go to the coffee shop for a late breakfast.   I love when we have some free time and are able to each has special one-on-one time with the girls.

2. Saturday afternoon a friend messaged me and asked if we wanted to grab an early dinner.  Worked out perfectly since we didn't have any plans and Nick was almost home from his bike ride.   We realized we hadn't seen their whole family since July!    We had a great time catching up and hearing all about their recent vacation to Mexico.  And perfect timing since we are planning one as well!

3. I am ready for spring and warmer weather.   A -2 degree temp on the way to the gym in the morning is not fun.  

4. Neve is growing.   Some of her 3T shirts I pulled out a month and a half ago are already showing her belly!   I thought it might be a shrinkage issue since pretty much all of our clothes are hand-me-downs, so I ordered a few 3T items new online.  They arrived and they are not much longer than the ones we have.  Unfortunately her arms have yet to catch up with her torso and the 4T clothes are huge on her!  

5. We pulled out the Responsibility & Contribution charts for the girls.  They love getting smiley faces for each item they complete each day and the potential of earning a Princess Point it they have all smiley faces for the day.

5 on Friday

1.   On Tuesday's Nick usually takes care of Neve while I take Ellie to dance class.  This Tuesday he opted to ride his bike since it was supposed to be super cold on Wednesday.  As we were driving home from work Tuesday night Neve kept asking where Daddy was.  I told her over and over that he was biking.   We got home and Ellie started getting ready for dance.  I was changing laundry and Neve comes up to me looking a little perplexed and we had the following conversation:
   N: Where is Daddy?
   M:  Daddy is biking, remember?
   N: Who am I going to look at when Ellie and you go to dance class?
   M: Huh?
   N: I will be all alone!
   M: Oh Neve, you are going to dance class with us!
   N:
   M: Neve, what are you doing?
   N:
   M: Oh sweetie, you will not be in dance class, you will be with Mommy in the lobby!

2. Our conversation with Ellie on the way home from school on Wednesday:
    E: What is for dinner tonight?
    Nick: Tuna
    E: We just listened to that song at day-care!   Tuna Matata!

   Dear Ellie, Tuna and Hakuna Matata (from the Lion King) are not the same thing.

3. We had a blast last weekend watching my niece play basketball in the State AAU tournament.   Her team did awesome and made it to the finals!  Great job, Sam!  Nick arrived home from a bike ride at the same time as I checked the score of the most recent game (against a really strong team) and saw that they won!   Nick asked if I wanted to go to the finals, so I quickly rushed to Ankeny to catch the final game.   The girls did awesome, even if they got second place.

4. After one of the basketball games we went out to lunch at Panera.  With 14 of us, we sort of took over an entire area.  It worked out perfectly because the grown-ups were able to talk while the kids played.   We loved it and I love the relationship the cousins have with each other.

5. Note to self: do not plan on watching a movie that you may or may not own, is not available for rent on Amazon, and is not able to be purchased at the nearest Best Buy.   To Disney: putting movies in the "vault" sucks.   Thank you to Netflix, we will be watching the Lion King very soon.

5 on Friday

1. The girls started the weekend off with a trip to the Science Center on Saturday morning (after our weekly trip to the grocery store).   A few hours of fun before we headed back home for a nap (for the girls, not me).  Ellie was very excited to take space food to school on Monday (they are studying space this month).

2. With the beautiful weather, we made sure to get outside and play in the snow Saturday afternoon.  The girls had a blast playing in their 'snow fort' and making Olaf.

3. I love last minute plans that just come together.   We were making lasagna for dinner (Ellie's request) on Sunday and, knowing we would have plenty of extras, invited another family to join us less than two hours before dinner.   It worked out that they were available and we had an amazing dinner.  The kiddos had a blast playing together and the girls slept well from the extra activity.

4. Neve is sneaky... and smart... Ellie usually claims the character of Elsa when playing Frozen with Neve.   On Tuesday night we were listening to "Love is an Open Door" from Neve said that it was her and Daddy's song (Anna and Hans sing the song in the movie).   Ellie commented that she wanted to be Anna and she was singing the song.  Neve quickly agreed and then said that she was Elsa.  Way to go Neve, outsmarting your sister so you can be Elsa.  

5. I think Ellie is going through a growth spurt... she is eating anything and everything in site, is super emotional and has gone to bed pretty easy the past few nights (knock on wood).    I better take inventory of our next size up in clothing!

5 on Friday

1. "It looks like a winter wonderland.  But it feels like a blizzard." -Nick.   Sunday morning after clearing the walk 8+ inches of snow (remember how we live on the corner and get double the sidewalk?).

2. We celebrated Nick's brother's birthday on Saturday at Jethro's Bacon Bacon.   Ellie was very excited to have eggs for dinner!  Neve was excited to see Grandpa.

3. "Pluto is too small, so they made it an indoor planet." -Ellie, age 5.   Guess who is learning about the solar systems in school!?  And I believe she meant dwarf planet, but she said indoor planet--- I asked her to repeat herself.

4.  With all the snow we were driving nowhere on Sunday.  Nick cleared the walks four different times throughout the day.  Thank goodness our plans for the Big Game involved walking a few houses down.  We made it, although the girls were not impressed with the walk and cold.

5. Neve's room had a "Frozen" day at day-care today to celebrate her teacher's last day.  Neve was thrilled to dress-up as Elsa (surprise, surprise) and sang "Let It Go" on our way into school.

5 on Friday

1. My sister turned 30 on Saturday and my niece turned 1 on Sunday! We celebrated with them at a joint birthday party on Saturday in Ames.   Seems like just yesterday I was in the delivery room waiting for the baby to make her appearance. 

2. Ellie is really into themes of birthday parties. My sister and niece's party had a "pink zebra" theme. Ellie had it all worked out a few days ahead of time, she was going to wear pink underwear and a pink shirt (no worries- she wore pants as well)--- the girl plans for the occasion. Then she found her clip on earrings and wanted to wear those. But they were flowers. So she wanted to know if it was a "pink zebra flower bush" party. We messaged my sister to ask. Sure enough--- it was!  Ellie was on top of the world.

3.  It was Ellie's turn to bring treats to Faith Formation on Sunday.   She has been waiting all school year for this.  She was very excited and picked out applesauce and raisins.  I said no to the juice boxes and told her they could just drink water.   She was actually OK with that- that's my girl!

4. Sunday night we celebrated with a family movie night.  Popcorn, M&M's and Madagascar.   Perfect.

5. Ellie's dance class costumes came in!   The girls are going to look so cute!

5 on Friday

1. Last week Ellie was sick.

2. Then Nick was sick.

3. And then I was sick.

4. Neve wins!  She avoided being sick.  Thank goodness--- we needed some sort of break.

5. We were reminded of why we donate to IPTV--- we don't have cable and the girls rarely watch TV, but when Nick and I are both sick and the girls are home with us kid-friendly shows come in real handy.  Thank you IPTV!

6. Then we spent time recovering from being sick.  It was a boring two weeks.

7. Ellie was feeling better and able to make it to her friend's birthday party on Sunday.  She had a great time and was very excited that Spider-man showed up!

8. Since we were sick we had to cancel the babysitter we had planned.  Ellie was crushed.  She even cried.   She must like our babysitter (who also happens to be her teacher at school).   I told her we would reschedule.

9.  We are back and feeling much better now!

5 on Friday

1. Ellie and I broke out one of 'our' American Girl dolls, Marie-Grace (M-G), and started reading her story (our first chapter book!).   Ellie thought it was awesome and loved playing with M-G.   Neve wanted to know where her 'grown-up' doll was... unfortunately the other doll we/I have is Samantha, and I am not ready to pass her onto the girls yet.   I told the girls they could share M-G.   Maybe if Ellie loves M-G and takes good care of her (her hair specifically) she can pick out her own American Girl to ask Santa for next year (or the year after).

2. So the Marie-Grace chapter book tells all about the doll's life.  The story is set in New Orleans in 1858---  Nick looked at me in shock when I came across the word "black boy" in the book.  Explaining to Ellie how things were different back then has been interesting to say the least, but also a part of life.  Maybe there would have been an easier book to read for our first chapter book, but I still love that Ellie is learning about history at such a young age.

3. Neve wants to dress-up like a princess EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.   Good thing she received a couple of new princess dresses for Christmas to add to her collection--- because that kid is 100% girl.  It also makes me see how not-girly Ellie can be (I should have know by the sports lamp she picked out for her room.)

4.  A friend of mine gave us a pink leotard that was too small for her daughter.  It fits Neve perfectly and she is so excited about it.   We were driving home one night, talking about how Ellie had dance class in a couple days when Neve quickly chimes in that she is going to be in dance class too!   I told her she wasn't old enough and she could start next fall :(   She came right back with, "but I have a pink dance outfit now!"   Poor girl, she CANNOT wait for her turn to take dance classes.  On Tuesday when Ellie went to dance class, Neve put on her pink dance outfit so she could match (despite the outfit being short sleeve and it being cold out).

5. Some days things just don't go your way.  They happen.   Wednesday at work was that day for me.   I came home pretty upset and Nick kindly reminded me that there is always someone else out there that has it worse.   Sometimes you need that reality check to remind you of how lucky you are, and make sure you don't take the 'good days' for granted.

5 on Friday

1. You know what is great about a smoker?  Making a week's  worth of meals in one afternoon.    Saturday afternoon Nick smoked up chicken, pork, a ham and some amazing baked beans with smoked bacon.   We have plenty of food to last us through the week!

2. We had a relaxing weekend--- took down the Christmas tree and cleaned up the house.

3. Ellie decided that we since we got new toys for Christmas, we should donate some of our old toys to Goodwill.  Great idea Ellie!

4. We celebrated New Year's Eve at the neighbor's house.   Such a fun time had by all- even if Ellie and Neve did not fall asleep as planned.  A great way to end the year.

5. New Year's day was relaxing--- a perfect start to the new year.